Robotic surgeon and combat veteran Kyle Sokol, MD, is bringing advanced surgical technology to places many healthcare systems overlook. After training in one of the military’s earliest robotics-focused surgical programs, he sees an opportunity to transform rural medicine by putting powerful tools where access is limited. In this episode, he explores how robotic surgery can expand what small hospitals are capable of, attract surgical talent, strengthen hospital finances, and keep patients closer to home. He also breaks down the evolution from open surgery to laparoscopy to robotics, why some surgeons still resist the technology, and the lessons behind building Frontier Surgical Consultants to create sustainable change in underserved communities. Key TakeawaysRobotic surgery can expand the range of complex procedures rural hospitals are equipped to perform.Rural hospitals can use advanced surgical programs to strengthen patient care, financial sustainability, and physician recruitment.Kyle’s military surgical training gave him early exposure to robotics and helped shape his approach to rural medicine.Rapidly evolving robotic techniques require surgeons to continually learn rather than become complacent.Frontier Surgical Consultants focuses on building sustainable rural programs that can ultimately operate without outside support. Notable Quotes“You can make rural hospitals safe. You can make them prosperous.”“The rural surgeon is dying, and we need to bring it back.”“It’s like the freaking Wild West right now.”“Complacency kills.”“It takes a lifetime to learn when not to operate.”

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.